India is moving away from Saturday night clubbing and drinking, as more young people are embracing healthier and more engaging alternatives. One such rising trend is pickleball.

Gaining popularity in a country that lives and breathes cricket, pickleball is emerging not only as a recreational activity but also as a community sport. It’s bringing people together while promoting fitness, fun, and social connect.

What is Pickleball and Where did it come from?

Pickleball is a paddle sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, played either indoors or outdoors on a court about half the size of a tennis court. Players use solid paddles, larger than ping-pong paddles but smaller than tennis rackets, to hit a perforated plastic ball over a 34-inch-high net, aiming to score points when opponents fail to return the ball or commit a fault.

The game can be played in singles or doubles formats and is known for its fast pace, unique rules like the non-volley zone (“the kitchen”), and accessibility to all ages and skill levels.

Pickleball originated in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum improvised a new game to entertain their families, using a badminton court, ping-pong paddles, and a whiffle ball.

The name “pickleball” was inspired by Joan Pritchard, who thought the combination of leftover sports equipment resembled a “pickle boat” in crew, where rowers are selected from the leftovers of other boats. Although some stories claim the game was named after the family dog, Pickles, the dog actually came after the sport was named. 

A Sport on the Rise

In early 2024, India had approximately 200 operational courts; by 2025, that number has soared past 1,200, with 3-4 new courts opening every week in major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Surat. 

The All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) projects that the number of active players will reach one million by 2028-a staggering 1,500% increase from current levels. This surge is fueling demand for more courts, with estimates suggesting India will need at least 2,500 by 2028.

Business and Ecosystem Expansion

The sport’s growth is not limited to playing courts.

• Ancillary businesses are flourishing, from paddle and ball manufacturers to apparel brands and equipment rental services. Both international and local companies are innovating with advanced materials for paddles and durable balls, catering to a broad spectrum of players-from beginners to professionals. 

• The market for pickleball gear is expanding rapidly, with offline specialty stores currently dominating sales, but online channels are gaining traction as e-commerce platforms and direct-to-consumer brands ramp up their offerings.

Investment and Revenue Potential

Low Setup Costs, Fast Returns

• Court Setup: Building a pickleball court in India typically requires an investment of ₹3-5 lakhs, which is significantly lower than the ₹15 lakhs needed for a badminton court of similar size.
• Hourly Rates and Usage: Courts are rented out at average hourly rates of ₹600-800. With high demand, many courts are booked for up to 15 hours daily, from early morning (6 AM) until late at night (11 PM).
• Monthly Revenue: This high utilization translates to monthly revenues per court in the range of ₹3-4 lakhs.
• Operating Costs: Operating expenses-including staff, maintenance, and utilities-generally account for 30-35% of revenue, leaving a good margin.
• Monthly Profit: After expenses, a single court can generate profits of ₹2 lakhs or more each month.
• Payback Period: Thanks to robust occupancy and modest setup costs, operators typically recover their initial investment within just 2-3 months.

Scale and Annual Returns

Facility owners who opened just three courts in 2023 are now grossing over ₹1 crore annually, highlighting the strong income potential of even small-scale operations in this sector.

Industry Growth and Outlook

• The pickleball market in India is growing at a remarkable 26% CAGR, more than double the global average. Over ₹7,500 crore (approximately $1 billion) is projected to be spent on pickleball in India by 2030.
• The number of courts has increased sixfold in just over a year, and new ones are opening at a rate of 3-4 per week in major cities.

Pickleball’s business model in India is persuading : low entry costs, high utilization, fast payback, and strong profit margins. This economic foundation is fueling the sport’s rapid expansion and attracting both entrepreneurs and investors eager to capitalize on the country’s next big sporting phenomenon!

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